Since I last wrote, Jimmy and I enjoyed a safari trip to
Massai Mara where we saw more animals than I could ever imagine. Grassy plains
were covered with hundreds of migrating wildebeest (who acted a bit like
Stetson in the turn-out, bucking and running). They shared the grass with zebra
and all different kinds of antelope. Propped on their stout knees and partly
under foot where pumbas (who looked and acted a bit like my first dog Iris).
When they run, their tails point up like a flag to all the other pumbas so
there is a small pig parade each time they startle.
In addition to the animals at the Royal Mara, Jimmy and I
progressed from camping-like facilities in my village to the finest hotel and
private “tent” I’ve ever seen. There were richly carved doors with images of
zebras playing, a sun porch overlooking the river and a view of real hippos,
crocodiles, gazelles, and monkeys swinging from the branches. When we unzipped
the tent, we entered a palace complete with curtains around the princess bed.
Hot water showers were also quite a treat after months of cold water bucket
baths. There were even animals carved below the clear glass sinks and
rhino-shaped toilet paper holders. I swear, they thought of everything. The
food was pleasantly not kale and corn-based. Jimmy and I were served hot
chocolate and tea in our own living area when we woke up in the mornings. We
even went on nature walks in the afternoons where we felt like we were right up
with the animals. It was an amazing experience that I’ll never forget. Jimmy
put some pictures on facebook and I’ll try to add some to the blog when my
internet connection is better. The pictures hardly do it justice, especially
the sunrises, but they will give you a window into a fantasy world come to
life.
When we returned to our home-away-from-homes, Jimmy and I
found the schools back in session. The teachers ended their strike with the
government promising the raises the teachers had hoped for. The teachers did
have to compromise some, and the government still needs to follow through with
their promises so my fingers are still crossed. At least the students get to
return to school. In the US, young students do not have a concept of their
unlimited access to education. I know we are still fighting for making college
and university more available, but all children in the US can go to school at
least through high school. Here, that is hardly the case even with the strike
ending. “Free” public schools still send students home if they cannot pay to
take exams, have a hole in their uniforms that they have no money to repair,
fail to polish their shoes or do not have shoes, arrive even one minute late in
the morning, or are at all disrespectful to their teachers. They are caned for
any indiscretions and sent home. When I pass homes where students are not in
school, I find them still studying or collecting wood or making charcoal to
earn money so they can return to school quickly. School is valuable and people
here know it is their chance to help their families and succeed in life. In
order to attend high school, young students must do well on all of their exams.
High school is not even “free” so they also must pay fees in order to attend.
These fees can be more than half of a family’s income. I’m not even all that
sure what they are paying for since I often find teachers in the break room
eating while the students teach themselves. There are of course some amazing
teachers here who are entirely deserving of a raise, but people often overlook
the dedication of the students themselves and the role they play in making
their schools successful. Cheers to the end of the teachers’ strike and a round
of applause for Kenya’s students. May they inspire other young people around
the world!
When the teachers’ strike ended, the amazing chemistry
teacher I was supposed to work with for the health club did not return to
school. She took ill and went to Nairobi and will hopefully return next year.
In an effort to make the most of my time here, and get to know the students at
the high school, I volunteered to take on some of her classes. So, I’ve been
teaching high school chemistry which has been a blast (pun intended :) ). We
did some great experiments on hydrocarbons and water while I did my best to
teach using Model-based inquiry. I hope my attempts, or at least laughable
effort, make my advisor proud. My first notable observation about model-based
inquiry (which for my non-education grad school friends is basically let
students figure out what is happening without telling them all the answers,
then debate about their findings and inferences like real scientists do) is
that the students first have to be okay with speaking in class. After a week of
prodding and repeatedly assuring students that I won’t beat them for not giving
“right” answers, I finally got students to discuss just their observations.
Then, we had a discussion about the differences between observations and
inferences. The next class, I had a few brave students volunteer to make some
inferences and lo and behold, they naturally made models by drawing on the
board to explain. Woohoo! After a couple more weeks of this, I finally reached
a critical moment where one student asked me why I wouldn’t tell them the
answer. We had a nice talk about model-based inquiry and had a great argument
about how soap actually works. I think the students had fun and learned a lot
even if I didn’t let on that my chemistry knowledge is based on what I myself
learned in high school. At least, if anything, I got the students talking,
thinking, and debating in class.
Lately, I have switched from teaching chemistry to teaching
computers (although I manage to have each computer lesson involve science
content to make it more fun for me…shhh). We graphed the way water reacts with
different metals and made powerpoints on the elements. I realized that teaching
powerpoint was a dumb idea on my part considering my poor students have never
even done any kind of presentations before (except for my amazing chemistry
debates). Now, I’m taking things back a little and we're doing some typing
practice. If anyone has any ideas for what to teach on computers using
Microsoft office (the only programs we have besides solitaire), please do
share. I’m running out of ideas and don’t want things to get boring!
In addition to confusing students with my strange teaching
methods and forced class discussions, my other accomplishments to date include
finally learning to cook using the charcoal stove. Woohoo! I can now make
several dishes that contain corn, fish, and kale and I attempted banana bread
which after 5 hours had a consistency more like banana pudding, but was still
tasty. I also taught some of the kids how to make pancakes which they learned
about from watching the movie Matilda.
Jimmy has been doing an amazing job with his work in
Isibania. While the position is supposed to be program management moving toward
consultant type work, in my opinion he is really more like a superintendent
plus teacher education department head. He seems busy with these roles, but is
loving Nuru, his housemates, and the teachers he works with. Jimmy can
definitely add to my crazy school rant and can tell you more about his program
himself. I’m happy to report that he is doing well and definitely making a
difference for hundreds of children in Kenya while still keeping up with UNC
football games, talking to me every day, and making me smile.
Jimmy is coming to visit this weekend which I’m very excited
about along with the rest of my village. They all love him here as much as I
do. Then, there is a month left for me to figure out my research...haha. Jimmy
and I will both be back in the US in December and we are looking forward to
seeing everyone. Unfortunately, it will be a whirlwind trip for us. We’ll be in
the Pasadena area from Dec. 6-8 and the Santa Barbara area from Dec. 9-11
(Ellie and Mal, can we crash at your place please?). Then Jimmy is heading to
North Carolina and I’ll be in the Pasadena area again from Dec. 12-17 (plus a
short trip south to Julian with my mom somewhere in between). Jimmy and I will
be spending Christmas with his family in North Carolina then heading back to
Kenya. I expect everyone to please clear out your schedules when I arrive and
convert any holiday shopping plans to spending-time-with-Anne plans so that I
can see you. I miss you all!
